Manly player speaks out over controversy engulfing teammate
Manly star Dylan Walker insists his teammate Haumole Olakau'atu has every right to show his support for ex-Sea Eagles hooker Manase Fainu, following his stabbing conviction.
Fainu was last week found guilty of stabbing a youth leader at a church dance in 2019, before being denied bail and placed behind bars while awaiting sentencing.
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A number of Manly players have come under fire for their public show of support for Fainu, with Olakau'atu called out over a gesture during the recent loss against the Gold Coast Titans.
After scoring a try that was later disallowed, Olakau'atu gestured the numbers ‘61’ towards a camera - an apparent reference to the 2161 Guildford postcode in Sydney's west where he grew up in with Fainu.
Olakau'atu also appeared to hold his wrists together to imitate being in handcuffs.
Former Manly prop Addin Fonua-Blake also did likewise while playing for the Warriors.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo confirmed on Wednesday the integrity unit had spoken to the clubs, particularly after the postcode gang wars in Sydney in recent years.
The incidents have sparked fierce debate in rugby league circles, with concerns that by using nationally televised matches to show their support, the players are actually exacerbating the problem around gang violence.
NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent - who defended the rights of Olakau’atu and six Manly teammates for their rainbow jersey boycott - said he drew the line about making such a public statement of support for a man convicted of a serious offence.
“A fortnight later they’re now coming out in support of a guy who has just been convicted of stabbing a bloke essentially," Kent said.
“You can’t have it both ways with these guys and the NRL and the postcode gang wars in Sydney at the moment are costing lives, literally. There was a stabbing at the Easter show earlier this year, the police have got involved with players particularly from Penrith and Parramatta...
“Whether these blokes are aware of it or not they are contributing to the problem. And to have some sort of social conscious in the game which they tried to exhibit a few weeks ago whether you agree with it or not and we came out in support of their right to follow their own faith, here they are a fortnight later in support of a guy who’s about to go to jail for stabbing a bloke in a fight that was born out of a gang fight based on these postcodes.”
Fellow panelist Paul Crawley added: “They’re using the NRL and Fox as a stage to show their support. That’s where it’s wrong, that’s where the game has to be tough.
“There’s concern that at some clubs there is gang culture and Manly is one of them and you have to stamp it out, that’s where the game has to be tough.”
Manly players vow to stick by Manase Fainu
However, Walker says Manly's players have every right to stand by Fainu - who is set to appeal his stabbing conviction - anyway they choose to.
"Haumole (Olakau'atu) and Nas (Fainu) have been best mates since they were little kids," Walker said.
"I would interpret that (symbol) to (being) something completely different to someone that wouldn't be a part of that close-knit group.
"That could be anything from when they were eight or 10 years old.
"That's just Haumole showing his support behind him, which he needs because for the last few weeks we talk about mental health.
"This is a kid that was touted to be the next superstar and turns have taken the wrong way for him.
"As a playing group, we're showing as much support as we can."
Walker also claimed it was unfair to compare the celebrations to the decision of seven Manly players - including Olakau'atu - to not wear the rainbow jersey against the Sydney Roosters on religious grounds.
"I just think it's their choice (to support Fainu)," Walker said.
"That's what the whole inclusion jumper was about. It's a choice of yourself and what you want to support.
"That (symbol) is a choice that he (Olakau'atu) has made for a best mate that he's had for the last 15 years.
"So I support him in that way because Nas supported me through a lot of stuff."
Manly's season has spiralled disastrously since the jersey saga, falling out of finals contention.
But five-eighth Kieran Foran was adamant on Thursday they were not a split group after the jersey saga.
The club also took another hit on Thursday, with stand-in fullback Reuben Garrick ruled out for the final three rounds with a shoulder injury.
The results have piled pressure on coach Des Hasler, who is not guaranteed an extension into 2024 without a finals finish.
with AAP
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